U.S. patent number 5,644,112 [Application Number 08/455,106] was granted by the patent office on 1997-07-01 for braking circuit switch for an electric motor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Marquardt GmbH. Invention is credited to Michael Bufe, August Geiger, Alexander Knappe.
United States Patent |
5,644,112 |
Geiger , et al. |
July 1, 1997 |
Braking circuit switch for an electric motor
Abstract
An electrical switch, particularly for a breaking circuit
includes first and second changeover switches. The first and second
changeover switches each comprise first and second stationary
contacts and a switching contact. A plunger is operatively
connected to a rocker for causing the rocker to pivot between a
non-operated position and an operated position. The second
stationary contacts are associated with the non-operated position
of the plunger. A spring is connected between the rocker and the
switching contacts. The spring is arranged on the rocker and on the
switching contacts so that at least when switching over from the
second stationary contacts to the first stationary contacts the
switching contacts are lifted off the second stationary contacts
essentially synchronously. A delay device is coupled to the
switching contact of the first changeover switch for only delaying
movement of the first switching contact of the first changeover
switch when switching over from the first stationary contact to the
second stationary contact after that switching contact has lifted
off the first stationary contact. The switching contact of the
first changeover switch thus comes to rest against its second
stationary contact later than the switching contact of the second
changeover switch comes to rest against its second stationary
contact.
Inventors: |
Geiger; August (Talheim,
DE), Knappe; Alexander (Rietheim, DE),
Bufe; Michael (Rietheim, DE) |
Assignee: |
Marquardt GmbH (Rietheim,
DE)
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Family
ID: |
6468982 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/455,106 |
Filed: |
May 31, 1995 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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125864 |
Sep 24, 1993 |
5449992 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Sep 26, 1992 [DE] |
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42 32 402.5 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
200/1R; 200/1B;
200/18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01H
21/10 (20130101); H02P 3/06 (20130101); H01H
7/02 (20130101); H01H 21/52 (20130101); H01H
2300/002 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01H
21/10 (20060101); H01H 21/00 (20060101); H02P
3/06 (20060101); H01H 7/00 (20060101); H01H
7/02 (20060101); H01H 21/52 (20060101); H01H
009/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;200/1R,1V,1B,5R,6R,17R,18,402-471,50.01-50.4 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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AS1001746 |
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Jan 1957 |
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DE |
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2002768 |
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Nov 1970 |
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DE |
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3539841A1 |
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Mar 1987 |
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DE |
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3636555A1 |
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May 1988 |
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DE |
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3511893C2 |
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Oct 1989 |
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DE |
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4022637A1 |
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Jan 1992 |
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DE |
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4021319A1 |
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Jan 1992 |
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DE |
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3546719C2 |
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May 1992 |
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DE |
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4038786A1 |
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Jun 1992 |
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DE |
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Primary Examiner: Scott; J. R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Spencer & Frank
Parent Case Text
This is a division of application Ser. No. 08/125,864 filed Sep.
24, 1993 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,992.
Claims
We claim:
1. An electrical switch, comprising:
first and second changeover switches, said first changeover switch
comprising first and second stationary contacts and a first movable
contact for switching over between the first and second stationary
contacts of the first changeover switch, said second changeover
switch comprising first and second stationary contacts and a second
movable contact for switching over between the first and second
stationary contacts of the second changeover switch;
a rocker comprising two lever arms and being mounted for pivoting
between first and second positions;
a plunger operatively connected to one lever arm of the rocker for
causing the rocker to pivot between its first position
corresponding to a non-actuated position of the electrical switch
and its second position corresponding to an actuated position of
the electrical switch, the first stationary contacts being
associated with the actuated position of the electrical switch and
the second stationary contacts being associated with the
non-actuated position;
spring means connected between the other lever arm of the rocker
and the first and second movable contacts, the spring means being
arranged on the rocker and on the first and second movable contacts
so that when switching over between the first and second stationary
contacts the first and second movable contacts are lifted off the
first stationary contacts essentially synchronously in a direction
toward the second stationary contacts and are lifted off the second
stationary contacts essentially synchronously in a direction toward
the first stationary contacts; and
delay means coupled to the first movable contact of the first
changeover switch for only delaying movement of the first movable
contact of the first changeover switch when switching over from the
first stationary contact to the second stationary contact of the
first changeover switch, after the first movable contact has lifted
off the first stationary contact of the first changeover switch, so
that the first movable contact comes to rest against the second
stationary contact of the first changeover switch later than the
second movable contact comes to rest against the second stationary
contact of the second changeover switch.
2. The electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein the delay
means includes movement-constraining means for constraining
movement of the first movable contact only during a switching over
from the first stationary contact to the second stationary contact
of the first changeover switch.
3. The electrical switch according to claim 2, wherein the delay
means includes a switching lever having one end pivotally connected
to the first movable contact and a second end comprising a latching
element for engaging the movement-constraining means.
4. The electrical switch according to claim 3, wherein the
movement-constraining means comprises a rotatable drum, a tooth
system arranged on an outer surface of the rotatable drum for
engaging with the latching element, an inner drum arranged inside
the rotatable drum, and a viscous fluid located between the
rotatable drum and the inner drum for buffering a relative movement
between the rotatable drum and the inner drum when the latching
element engages the tooth system during the switch over from the
first stationary contact to the second stationary contact of the
first changeover switch.
5. The electrical switch according to claim 4, wherein the viscous
fluid comprises silicone oil.
6. The electrical switch according to claim 4, wherein said delay
means further includes a link having a guide surface along which
the switching lever is moved when switching over from the first
stationary contact to the second stationary contact of the first
changeover switch so that the latching element is guided to engage
in the tooth system on the rotatable drum.
7. The electrical switch according to claim 6, wherein the guide
surface includes a lower recessed surface, a central prominent
surface and an upper recessed surface, the latching element
disengaging from the tooth system when the switching lever moves
along the lower recessed surface and the upper recessed surface,
and engaging with the tooth system when the switching lever moves
along the central prominent surface.
8. The electrical switch according to claim 7, wherein the delay
means further includes a spring element arranged for applying a
force on the switching lever in the direction of the guide surface
to ensure that the latching element engages the tooth system when
the switching lever rests in the central prominent surface of the
guide surface.
9. The electrical switch according to claim 7, wherein the lower
recessed surface of the link is dimensioned so that when the
switching lever moves along the guide surface the first movable
contact lifts off the first stationary contact of the first
changeover switch through a distance of approximately 1/2 mm before
the latching element engages the tooth system.
10. The electrical switch according to claim 7, wherein the central
prominent surface of the link and the rotatable drum are
dimensioned, and the viscosity of the fluid between the rotatable
drum and the inner drum is selected so that the first movable
contact switches over from the first stationary contact to the
second stationary contact of the first changeover switch with a
delay time of at least 10 ms.
11. The electrical switch according to claim 4, wherein said delay
means includes means for creating a force component which causes
the latching element to disengage from the tooth system when the
first movable contact switches over from the second stationary
contact to the first stationary contact of the first changeover
switch.
12. The electrical switch according to claim 11, wherein the teeth
of the tooth system each have an inclined edge and a steep edge,
the force creating means comprising the inclined edge wherein when
the first movable contact switches over from the second stationary
contact to the first stationary contact of the first changeover
switch the latching element interacts with the inclined edge, and
when the the first movable contact switches over from the first
stationary contact to the second stationary contact of the first
changeover switch the latching element interacts with the steep
edge.
13. The electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein the spring
means connected between the rocker and the movable contacts
comprises a leaf spring which is prestressed so that a larger force
acts when switching over from the second stationary contacts to the
first stationary contacts than in switching over from the first
stationary contacts to the second stationary contacts.
14. The electrical switch according to claim 13, wherein the larger
force is at least 5 times as large when switching over from the
second stationary contacts to the first stationary contacts than in
switching over from the first stationary contacts to the second
stationary contacts.
15. The electrical switch according to claim 4, and further
including a further switch comprising a stationary contact, and a
third movable contact, and a further delay means utilizing the
movement-constraining means of the delay means for constraining
movement of the third movable contact.
16. The electrical switch according to claim 15, wherein the
rotatable drum includes a further tooth system in a region of the
third movable contact and the third movable contact includes means
for positively engaging the further tooth system when the third
movable contact moves in a direction of the stationary contact of
the further switch.
17. The electrical switch according to claim 16, wherein the
engaging means comprises a second lever pivotally connected with
the third movable contact, a latching lever with latching teeth
pivotally connected to the second lever, a connecting lever mounted
for rotation about the axis of the rotatable drum and pivotally
connected to the latching lever, the latching teeth being engaged
with the further tooth system on the drum via the second lever when
the third movable contact moves in a direction of the stationary
contact of the further switch.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a braking circuit for an electric motor,
especially for driving electric hand-tools such as drills, angle
grinders, hedge trimmers and the like, having a braking switch, and
to an electrical switch, which is suitable for use in the braking
circuit, having at least two contact systems which are constructed
as changeover switches.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electric motors have a relatively long running-on time after the
power supply voltage has been switched off, as a result of their
kinetic energy. Particularly when used in electric hand-tools, such
as angle grinders, chainsaws, electric planes and the like, because
of the possible risk of injury to the operator it is desirable to
ensure rapid braking of the electric motor, and hence of the
electric hand-tool, when the electric motor is switched off. The
electric motor is normally braked by means of a braking circuit in
which the armature and the field winding are switched into a
braking circuit during switching off, that is to say when switching
over from the motor mode to the braking mode. The kinetic energy is
then converted into heat in the braking circuit, and emitted to the
surrounding air.
DE-PS 35 46 719 discloses such a braking circuit for a universal
electric motor, in the case of which a braking circuit is formed by
the electric motor armature being short-circuited via the field in
the switched-off state. For this purpose, a braking switch
comprising two changeover switches S1, S2 is provided the
connections for the switching contacts of which braking switch are
connected to the two connections of the field winding. The
connections of the stationary contacts of the two changeover
switches S1, S2 are connected to one power supply terminal and to
the two sides of the armature winding such that, when the electric
motor is in the switched-off state, the polarity of the armature
winding with respect to the field winding is the opposite of that
when the electric motor is in the switched-on state.
In order to prevent the contacts of the braking switch from being
destroyed as a result of high currents in the braking circuit when
the electric motor is being switched off, or as a result of power
supply short-circuits, it is proposed that the switching processes
in the braking switch take place in a time-delayed manner. When
switching over from the motor mode to the braking mode, the
changeover switch S1, which is close to the power supply, is
operated first and then the changeover switch S2 which is remote
from the power supply is operated. When switching over from the
braking mode to the motor mode, the changeover switch S2 which is
remote from the power supply is operated first, and then the
changeover switch S1 which is close to the power supply is
operated.
Furthermore, electronic circuits are known which are arranged in
the braking current path of the braking circuit and are used for
controlling the braking of the electric motor. Such braking
electronics are disclosed, for example, in DE-OS 3,539,841, DE-OS
3,636,555 and DE-OS 4,022,637. However, no more precise statements
are made in these Laid-Open Specifications with respect to the
braking switch, which once again comprises two changeover switches,
and, in particular, to the sequence of the switching processes of
the two changeover switches.
It has been found that, in the case of a braking circuit having a
braking switch of the specified type, failures can occur in the
braking when switching over from the motor mode to the braking
mode, especially when using braking electronics. In such a case,
the electric motor then runs on without being braked. It can
immediately be seen that, just for safety reasons, such a circuit,
having a braking switch in which there is no absolute guarantee of
a fault-free braking behavior, is unsuitable as a braking
circuit.
It has furthermore been found that the braking switch described in
DE-PS 3,546,719 has a tendency to have failures resulting from
contact erosion after only a short operating period. Particularly
when used on electric motors of relatively high power, for example
over 1200 W, the contacts weld within a very short time and the
braking switch becomes unusable. Even if switching operations from
the braking mode directly back to the motor mode are made
frequently, without waiting for the motor to stop, this problem
occurs to a considerable extent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is based on the object of creating an operationally
reliable braking circuit and a braking switch which is suitable for
use in this braking circuit, so that there is no need to worry
about premature destruction of the braking switch even in the case
of electric motors of relatively high power. In particular, the
braking circuit and the braking switch are also intended to be
suitable for use with braking electronics.
The above and other objects are achieved in accordance with the
invention by the provision of an electrical switch, comprising:
first and second changeover switches, the first changeover switch
comprising first and second stationary contacts and a first
switching contact for switching over between the first and second
contacts of the first changeover switch, the second changeover
switch comprising first and second stationary contacts and a second
switching contact for switching over between the first and second
stationary contacts of the second changeover switch; a rocker for
pivoting between first and second positions; a plunger operatively
connected to the rocker for causing the rocker to pivot between a
non-operated position and an operated position, the second
stationary contacts being associated with the non-operated position
of the plunger; spring means connected between the rocker and the
first and second switching contacts, the spring means being
arranged on the rocker and on the first and second switching
contacts so that at least when switching over from the second
stationary contacts to the first stationary contacts of the first
and second changeover switches, respectively, the first and second
switching contacts are lifted off the second stationary contacts
essentially synchronously; and
a delay device coupled to the first switching contact for only
delaying movement of the first switching contact when switching
over from the first stationary contact to the second stationary
contact of the first changeover switch after the first switching
contact has lifted off the first stationary contact of the first
changeover switch so that the first switching contact comes to rest
against the second stationary contact of the first changeover
switch later than the second switching contact comes to rest
against the second stationary contact of the second changeover
switch.
The advantages which can be achieved by means of the invention are,
in particular, that a braking circuit is specified which is very
reliable. Danger to the user resulting from faulty braking can be
precluded. The braking circuit according to the invention can be
used universally and can also be used in the case of electric
motors of relatively high power. Premature failures resulting from
welding or contact erosion do not occur in the case of the braking
switch. At the same time, overloading of the electric motor in the
braking mode is avoided and a high level of protection of the
electric motor is achieved which, in the end, leads to an increase
in the life of the electric motor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in more
detail in the following text and is shown in the drawings, in
which:
FIG. 1 shows the outline circuit diagram of a braking circuit
having braking electronics for an electric motor with the switch in
the position for the motor mode,
FIG. 2 shows the circuit diagram of a braking circuit according to
FIG. 1 with the switch in the position for the braking mode,
FIG. 3 shows the current flow in the braking circuit in the braking
mode with the braking electronics inhibited,
FIG. 4 shows the current flow in the braking circuit in the braking
mode with the braking electronics active,
FIG. 5 shows a section through an electrical switch for use in the
braking circuit,
FIG. 6 shows a section along the line 6--6 in FIG. 5,
FIGS. 7 to 9 show a detailed section of the electrical switch
according to FIG. 5, it being possible to see the delay device in
various positions during switching over from the motor mode to the
braking mode,
FIG. 10 shows a detailed section of the delay device according to
FIG. 8 in an enlarged representation during switching over from the
motor mode to the braking mode,
FIG. 11 shows a detailed section of the delay device in an enlarged
representation as in FIG. 10, during switching over from the
braking mode to the motor mode, and
FIG. 12 shows a section along the line 12--12 in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows the circuit of a universal electric motor, as is used
for electric hand-tools, for example drills, angle grinders,
electric planes, electric hedge-trimmers and the like, in the motor
mode position.
The electric motor has a field winding 1 to whose connections two
changeover switches S1 and S2 are connected. The changeover switch
S1 switches over between two contacts a1, b1, the contact a1
representing the first connection to the motor circuit. This
connection comprises the one connection 2 of the supply voltage
which is formed by the AC voltage of the power supply. The other
contact b1 represents the first connection of the braking circuit.
The changeover switch S2 switches over between two contacts a2, b2,
a2 similarly representing the second connection to the motor
circuit and b2 the second connection of the braking circuit. In the
present exemplary embodiment, the changeover switch S1 is thus the
changeover switch which is close to the power supply, and the
changeover switch S2 is the changeover switch which is remote from
the power supply. The resistor 4, which can be bridged by means of
a further switch S3, is connected to the contact a2 in the motor
circuit. The armature winding 5 is then furthermore connected in
series and the other connection 3 of the supply voltage is
connected thereto. It is, of course, also possible to connect a
further field winding between the armature winding 5 and connection
3 or between the first field winding 1 and the switch S2.
The following description of the operation of the circuit in the
motor mode considers the positive half-cycle of the supply voltage
originating from the connection 2. In the negative half-cycle, the
current flows in the opposite direction, so that more detailed
explanations of this are superfluous.
In the starting phase of the motor mode, the current flows from the
connection 2 via the contact a1 of the changeover switch S1, the
field winding 1 and the contact a2 of the changeover switch S2 to
the resistor 4, since the switch S3 is still open. From there, the
current flows on to the armature winding 5 and then finally to the
connection 3 of the supply voltage. The resistor 4 is thus used in
the starting phase as a series resistor for limiting the starting
current. Once the starting phase has been completed, the switch S3
is closed and the resistor 4 is thus bridged, so that the current
flows from the changeover switch S2 and the contact a2 directly
into the armature winding 5 without being limited by the resistor
4.
A capacitor 6 is connected in parallel with the armature winding 5,
via a diode 7. This capacitor 6 is used as a starting capacitor in
order to initiate the braking mode, which is described in more
detail in the following text. The cathode of the diode 7 is
connected to the capacitor 6 so that, in the motor mode, the
capacitor 6 is charged in the polarity shown in FIG. 1. The
capacitor 6 is prevented from discharging again during the negative
half-cycle of the supply voltage, by the diode 7.
If the two changeover switches S1 and S2 are switched to their
contacts b1 and b2, then the field winding 1 and the armature
winding 5 are in the braking circuit. In this position of the
braking mode of the changeover switches S1 and S2, the electric
motor acts as a generator. In this case, in the braking mode, the
current flows through the field winding 1 and the armature winding
5 in the opposite direction while, in the motor mode, the current
flows through the field winding 1 and the armature winding 5 in the
same direction. Furthermore, in the braking mode, the switch S3 is
also open, so that the resistor 4 is likewise in the braking
circuit. Braking electronics 8 can possibly also be arranged in the
braking circuit, as can be seen, in addition, in FIG. 2.
The capacitor 6 discharges immediately after switching over into
the braking mode, a current flowing via the connection to the
contact b1 of the changeover switch S1, through the field winding 1
and the changeover switch S2 to the contact b2. The current flows
from there back to the capacitor, via the braking electronics 8.
This results in the field winding 1 being excited with a specific
polarity at the start of braking irrespective of the respective
phase of the supply voltage, to be precise, even if the residual
magnetism in the field winding 1 is no longer sufficient for
excitation or is of incorrect polarity. The DC braking current
produced as a result of the generator effect of the electric motor
is then likewise of the correct polarity and then leads to further
self-excitation of the field winding 1 in the said polarity with
respect to the armature winding 5. Discharging of the capacitor 6
from the contact b2 via the resistor 4 and the armature winding 5,
which can lead to a braking failure as a result of the direction in
the armature winding 5 then being incorrect, is prevented by means
of a diode 9 which is connected between the negative terminal of
the capacitor 6 and the connection of the armature winding 5 remote
from the resistor 4. For this purpose the anode of the diode 9 is
connected to the capacitor 6.
After initiation of the self-excitation, a current flows from the
armature winding 5 via the diode 7 to the contact b1, and from
there via the changeover switch S1 into the field winding 1, as a
result of the voltage, which is induced in the armature winding 5,
of the electric motor which is acting as a generator.
The current then flows from the field winding 1 via the changeover
switch S2 to the contact b2, from there through the braking
electronics 8, which are switched to be active, and then back to
the armature winding 5. This first branch of the braking circuit in
the braking mode is shown in more detail in FIG. 4, with the
current flow direction. As can be seen there, the field winding 1
and the armature winding 5 are in the correct polarity, that is to
say the current in the field winding 1 flows in the opposite
direction to that in the armature winding 5, as is required in the
generator mode.
The current in the field winding 1 rises more and more as a result
of the generator effect. If it has reached a specific upper limit,
then the braking electronics 8 are switched into the non-active
state and are thus inhibited. The current at the contact b2 must
therefore flow into the other second branch of the braking circuit,
as is shown in more detail in FIG. 3. As can be seen there, the
current then flows via the diode 10 through the resistor 4. From
there, it flows on via the diode 7 to the contact b1 and via the
changeover switch S1 back into the field winding 1.
The diodes 7, 9 and 10 thus also ensure that the current in the
respective branch of the braking circuit has the polarity required
for the generator mode. The second branch of the braking circuit,
through which the current flows when the braking electronics 8 are
inhibited, is also called the freewheeling branch. The diodes 7 and
10, which are arranged in the freewheeling branch, are thus
so-called freewheeling diodes.
Since the current in the freewheeling branch flows via the resistor
4, power is converted into heat there and the current decreases.
The resistor 4 thus acts as a braking resistor in the braking mode
when the electronics 8 are inhibited. If the current falls below a
specific limit or, alternatively, a specified time window has
elapsed, the braking electronics 8 are once again switched into the
active state, so that the current once again flows in the first
branch of the braking circuit. As a result of the self-excitation,
the current in the braking circuit then rises again until the
braking electronics 8 are once again inhibited.
The braking electronics 8 are thus switched between the active
state and the non-active state, that is to say they operate in a
pulsed manner, to be precise, as long as the kinetic energy of the
electric motor is required because of the resistive losses in the
braking circuit. This results on the one hand in very rapid braking
of the electric motor while, however, on the other hand preventing
excessively abrupt braking of the electric motor, as would occur
without braking electronics.
Circuit arrangements for such pulsed braking electronics have been
disclosed, for example in DE-OS 3,636,555 or DE-OS 4,022,637 and do
not need to be explained in more detail at this point. Instead of
braking electronics operating in a pulsed manner, braking
electronics which operate continuously can also be used, which
ensure that the current flowing in the braking circuit is kept
virtually constant. Such braking electronics have also been
disclosed, for example in DE-OS 3,539,841.
Large currents flow in the motor circuit in the motor mode,
especially when electric motors of relatively high power, for
example more than 1200 W, are used, so that arcs can occur (cf.
also FIG. 1 or 2) on the switching contacts of the two changeover
switches S1, S2 when switching over from the motor mode to the
braking mode. These arcs can cause a short-circuit to the power
supply. It is particularly damaging if such an arc occurs on only
one switching contact of the changeover switches S1, S2 since all
the energy then flows only via this contact, it then being possible
for contact erosion to occur as a result of the overloading. This
eventually leads to destruction of the contacts on the changeover
switches S1 and S2 and thus to premature failure of the changeover
switches S1 and S2. Furthermore, there is a risk that, in the event
of a power supply short-circuit, the capacitor 6 will discharge
into the power supply at the connection 2, via the contact b1 and
the arc which is present there. However, there is then no energy
available in the field winding 1 to initiate self-excitation and
braking failures can occur, in the case of which the electric motor
runs on without being braked.
In order to prevent such damaging effects, the switching contacts
of the two changeover switches S1, S2 are switched in a specific
way according to the invention. When switching over from the motor
mode to the braking mode, the two changeover switches S1, S2
initially open the motor circuit essentially synchronously in that
their switching contacts are moved away from their contacts a1, a2
essentially simultaneously. The switching contact of the changeover
switch S1 which is close to the power supply subsequently moves in
a delayed manner with respect to the switching contact of the
changeover switch S2 which is remote from the power supply, that is
to say the two changeover switches S1, S2 are switched with a time
delay. In consequence, the braking circuit is switched on later at
the changeover switch S1 which is close to the power supply.
The high currents which flow through the motor circuit in the motor
mode can result in partial welding of the switching contacts to the
contacts a1, a2 on the changeover switches S1, S2. In such a case,
it would then be possible for the switching contact on the
changeover switch S1 or S2 respectively not to open at all and to
continue to remain electrically connected as a result of the
welding to the contact a1 or a2 respectively. The braking mode
could then no longer be initiated. The synchronous opening of the
two switching contacts when switching over from the motor mode to
the braking mode now results in the full separation force being
available for the switching contacts and the switching contacts
invariably separating, which would not always be the case in the
event of an immediate delay of the switching contact on the
changeover switch S1.
The synchronous opening of the switching contacts of the changeover
switches S1 and S2 preferably takes place without any delay over a
path of at least 5/10 mm, before the delay of the switching contact
on the changeover switch S1 takes place. This reliably results in
separation of the switching contacts from the contacts a1, a2 and
opening of the changeover switches S1, S2 actually taking
place.
If arcs occur, the synchronous opening of the two switching
contacts on the changeover switches S1, S2 furthermore results in
two arcs in each case being produced simultaneously, specifically
one on each of the changeover switches S1 and S2. In consequence,
the current which is conducted via the arcs is distributed between
two switching paths and overloading of an individual contact, with
the damaging consequence of contact erosion, is reliably prevented.
If the two switching contacts on the changeover switches S1, S2
were not opened synchronously, then an arc would occur only on the
first contact switched, and all the power would then flow via this
switching path. The two contacts would then have to be dimensioned
for double the switching power in each case, which would lead to
both space and cost problems.
If the supply voltage is an AC voltage, the arc which occurs on the
switching contacts extinguishes itself after a certain time,
specifically when the phase of the power supply voltage passes
through zero. It is furthermore likewise possible to arrange
additional means, such as spark extinguishing chambers and the like
which are known per se, on the changeover switch S1 or S2
respectively, with the aid of which means the arc is extinguished.
The delay of the switching contact of the changeover switch S1
after synchronous opening thus results in the arc between the
switching contact and the contact a1 of the changeover switch S1
being extinguished before the switching contact reaches the contact
b1. This prevents the two contacts a1 and b1 being electrically
connected by the arc which could otherwise lead to a power supply
short-circuit with the possibility of the capacitor 6 discharging
into the power supply. Braking failure caused by this is, in
consequence, prevented.
In particular, in the case of a normal 50 Hz AC voltage as the
supply voltage, a zero crossing, with the arc in consequence being
extinguished, results at the latest after 10 ms. In a further
embodiment of the invention, a delay time of the switching contact
of the changeover switch S1 of at least 10 ms before coming to bear
on the contact b1 can thus be selected.
The braking current which occurs in the braking circuit during the
braking mode can likewise be very large. In this case, direct
currents of 24 A or more can occur, depending on the motor power,
which are not reduced to zero other than in the course of the
braking mode. If the user switches from the motor mode to the
braking mode and then back into the motor mode, the large braking
current is frequently not yet damped and an arc can occur on the
changeover switches S1 or S2, between the contacts a1, b1 or a2,
b2. Such an arc can in turn lead to severe contact erosion and thus
to early destruction of the changeover switches. This is
particularly disadvantageous if the switching back again occurs
directly after switching over from the motor mode to the braking
mode since then, as a rule, the braking current has still not been
significantly reduced by the braking resistor.
In order to prevent these damaging effects, the switching contacts
of both changeover switches S1, S2 open essentially synchronously
when switching over from the braking mode to the motor mode, so
that they are moved away from the contacts b1, b2 essentially
simultaneously. The two switching contacts subsequently move
without any delay and thereafter switch the motor circuit on
essentially simultaneously, that is to say they come to rest on the
contacts a1 and a2 essentially simultaneously.
As already explained, the synchronous opening once again produces
in each case one arc on both the changeover switch S1 and also S2
if arcs occur. The braking current is thus distributed between two
switching paths so that none of the two changeover switches S1, S2
is excessively loaded. Destruction by contact erosion is, in
consequence, prevented. However, in addition, the braking current
is a direct current so that it would not be possible for
self-extinguishing of the arc to take place as a result of a phase
zero crossing. In this case, the arc is extinguished when the
switching contact is at a specific distance from the contact b1 or
b2 respectively. Both switching contacts are thus moved without any
delay after opening in order to travel through as great a distance
as possible in a short time and to extinguish the arcs within a
very short time. In consequence, even in the extreme case when the
user switches back into the motor mode again immediately after
switching over from the motor mode to the braking mode, destruction
of the changeover switches S1, S2 is effectively prevented.
According to the invention, the individual switching contacts of
the changeover switches S1 and S2 have quite specific switching
sequences. It is therefore advantageous to provide only one common
operating device for both changeover switches S1 and S2, which is
operated by the user in order to switch over from the motor mode to
the braking mode and vice versa. The operating device then acts on
a mechanism which couples the two changeover switches S1 and S2 and
moves their switching contacts in accordance with the switching
sequences described.
The resistor 4 is used as a braking resistor in the braking mode.
When switching over from the braking mode to the motor mode, the
switch S3, which is already open in the braking mode, still remains
open for a certain time. In consequence, as already described, the
resistor 4 is used as a series resistor in the starting phase. Once
this starting phase has been completed, the switch S3 is closed so
that the switch S3 is thus closed with a time delay, which is
defined by the duration of the starting phase, with respect to the
two changeover switches S1 and S2. In contrast, when switching over
from the motor mode to the braking mode, the switch S3 is opened
essentially simultaneously with the two changeover switches S1 and
S2, so that the resistor 4 is immediately available as a braking
resistor. As a result of this correlation of the switch S3 with the
two changeover switches S1 and S2, it can be advantageous likewise
to couple the switch S3 to the changeover switches S1 and S2 via a
mechanism which implements this switching sequence, and to operate
it by means of the common operating device.
For cost reasons, it is possible to dispense with braking
electronics, particularly in the case of electric motors of
relatively low power. For relatively low demands, it is then
adequate to arrange an uncontrolled resistor, which takes over the
current limiting function, in the braking circuit. The braking
circuit according to the invention is also suitable for this
purpose.
An electrical switch 20 which is suitable for use in a braking
circuit according to the invention can be seen in more detail in
FIGS. 5 and 6. This switch 20 has a housing 21 in whose interior
two contact systems 31, 32, which are constructed as changeover
switches, are arranged with the corresponding plug contacts 40 for
the electrical supply leads. In the present exemplary embodiment,
the plug contacts 40 are connected to the supply leads to the
electric motor in such a manner that the contact system 31 is
assigned to the changeover switch S1 of the braking circuit and the
contact system 32 to the changeover switch S2 (cf. also FIG. 1).
The two contact systems 31, 32 each comprise a first stationary
contact 33, 35 and a second stationary contact 34, 36 as well as an
associated switching (movable) contact 37, 38. The switching
contacts 37, 38 are connected via the associated plug contacts 40
to in each case one connection on the field winding 1 in the
braking circuit according to FIG. 1. Furthermore, the electrical
wiring in the switch 20 is designed such that the stationary
contact 33 corresponds to the contact a1 of the changeover switch
S1, and the stationary contact 34 to the contacts b1. In the case
of the changeover switch S2, the contact a2 is formed by the
stationary contact 35 and the contact b2 by the stationary contact
36. The switching contacts 37, 38, together with the stationary
contacts 33, 35, thus represent the connection to the motor circuit
and, together with the stationary contacts 34, 36, the connection
to the braking circuit.
In order to switch the two switching contacts 37 and 38
respectively over between the two stationary contacts 33, 34 and
35, 36, respectively, an operating device 22 is located on the
housing 21, which operating device 22 is supported by means of a
journal 23 such that it can rotate against the force of a restoring
spring 24. A plunger 25 which is articulated on the operating
device 22 extends through an opening 27, which is sealed by means
of an elastic bellows 26, into the interior of the housing 21. In
the interior of the housing 21, the plunger 25 has a cutout 28 into
which a first lever arm of a rocker 29, which is supported in the
interior of the housing 21 such that it can rotate, engages. One
end of a leaf spring 30, which is prestressed, is clamped in on the
second lever arm of the rocker 29 as the spring element for each
switching contact 37, 38, the other end of the leaf spring 30 being
attached to the switching contact 37, 38 in the vicinity of the
contact surface 61. On the side opposite the contact surface 61,
the switching contact 37, 38 is supported in a knife-edge bearing
39 which is located in the interior of the housing 21.
When the operating device 22 is in the unoperated state, the
contact surface 61 of the switching contact 37, 38 rests against
the stationary contacts 34, 36, by means of which the connections
to the braking circuit are produced and the connection of the
electric motor to the supply voltage is disconnected. If the user
operates the operating device 22, then the rocker 29 is pivoted via
the plunger 25. At the same time, the leaf springs 30 of the two
switching contacts 37, 38 are deformed. As a result of the
symmetrical arrangement of the two leaf springs 30 on a common
rocker 29, the contact surfaces 61 of the two switching contacts
37, 38 are lifted off the stationary contacts 34, 36 essentially
synchronously at a specific deformation, the lifting-off occurring
suddenly as a result of the spring force. In contrast, the further
contact surfaces 64 of the switching contacts 37, 38 are likewise
lifted off the stationary contacts 33, 35 essentially synchronously
and suddenly when the operating device 22 is released and once
again returns to its unoperated state.
According to the invention, the contact system 31 which is assigned
to the changeover switch S1 is now provided with a delay device 41
with the aid of which the movement of the switching contact 37 is
delayed, once the contact surface 64 has lifted off the first
stationary contact 33, during switching over from the motor mode to
the braking mode, so that the contact surface 61 on the switching
contact 37 comes to rest on the second stationary contact 34 later
than the corresponding contact surface 61 of the switching contact
38 of the further contact system 32 comes to rest on the second
stationary contact 36. In the case of the opposite switching
direction, specifically during switching over from the braking mode
to the motor mode, this delay device 41 is ineffective or is at
most insignificantly effective, so that, during switching over from
the second stationary contact 34 to the first stationary contact
33, the switching contact 37 experiences no significant delay. The
switching contact 38 of the other contact system 32, which is
assigned to the changeover switch S2, moves in both changeover
directions, that is to say both from the first stationary contact
35 to the second stationary contact 36 and vice versa without any
delay, to be precise, as a result of the spring force of the leaf
spring 30, with a snap-action effect.
The more detailed construction of the delay device 41 can likewise
be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. The delay device comprises a means which
is connected to the switching contact 37 and permits
positively-locking engagement in a movement-constraining element
during switching over from the first stationary contact 33 to the
second stationary contact 34.
This means comprises a switching lever 45, one side of which is
articulated on the switching contact 37. On its other side, the
switching lever 45 has a latching element 44. The
movement-constraining element primarily comprises a cylindrical
drum 42 which is supported in the housing 21 so that it can rotate
and in which, as can be seen especially in FIG. 6, a further inner
drum 60 is arranged. The drum 42 can move with respect to the inner
drum 60. A viscous fluid 65, for example a silicone oil with a
suitably selected viscosity, is located in the interior of the drum
42, between the drum 42 and the inner drum 60. In consequence, the
rotational movement of the drum 42 is damped by means of viscous
fluid. A tooth system 43 (see FIG. 5) into which the latching
element 44 which is located on the switching lever 45 can engage is
arranged on the envelope surface of this drum 42, on the side
facing the contact system 31. This engagement of the latching
element 44 in the tooth system 43 is produced by a link 46 which is
arranged in the housing 21 and along which the switching lever 45
is guided while the switching contact 37 is being switched over
between the two stationary contacts 33, 34. For this purpose, a
spring element 47, which can be seen in more detail in FIGS. 7 and
10, on the switching lever 45 applies to such switching lever 45 a
force which is directed for guidance of the link 46. Spring element
47 is fastened to switching lever 45 by appropriately configured
projections 47' and 47" formed on switching lever 45.
The method of operation of the delay device 41 during switching
over from the first stationary contact 33 to the second stationary
contact 34 can be seen in more detail in FIGS. 7 to 9.
In FIG. 7, the contact surface 64 of the switching contact 37 is
still resting against the first stationary contact 33, and the
motor mode of the electric motor is thus switched on. The switching
lever 45 is resting against the lower recessed surface 50 of the
link 46 so that the latching element 44 is not engaged with the
tooth system 43. If the user now releases the operating device 22
(see FIG. 5), in order to switch the electric motor off and hence
to switch over from the motor mode to the braking mode, then the
switching contact 37 lifts off the stationary contact 33 as a
result of the spring force of the leaf spring 30, the motor circuit
being opened. In this case, the switching lever 45, which is
articulated on the switching contact 37, is also moved
simultaneously. During this movement, the switching lever 45 is
guided along the link 46 as a result of the force of the spring
element 47 and moves from the lower recessed surface 50 to the
central prominent surface 49. There, the latching element 44 also
engages with the tooth system 43 on the drum 42, as can be seen in
FIG. 8. As a result of the damping of the drum 42, the further
movement of the switching lever 45 is constrained and thus the
changeover movement of the switching contact 37 is also delayed as
long as the switching lever 45 is sliding along the central
prominent surface 49 of the link 46. On the transition from the
central prominent surface 49 to the upper recessed surface 48 of
the link 46, the latching element 44 disengages again from the
tooth system 43, as can be seen in FIG. 9. In this position, the
contact surface 61 on the switching contact 37 comes to rest
against the second stationary contact 34, by means of which the
braking circuit and hence the braking mode of the electric motor
are switched on.
The link 46 is preferably constructed by means of suitable
dimensioning of the lower recessed surface 50 such that the contact
surface 64 of the switching contact 37 lifts off the first
stationary contact 33 through a distance of approximately 5/10 mm
without any delay. Furthermore, the drum 42 and the central
prominent surface 49 are dimensioned such that the contact surface
61 of the switching contact 37 comes to rest against the stationary
contact 34 with a delay time of at least 10 ms. The desired delay
time can also furthermore be adjusted by suitable selection of the
viscosity of the fluid which is contained in the drum 42.
During the switching over of the switching contact 37 from the
second stationary contact 34 to the first stationary contact 33,
that is to say during the switching on of the electric motor or
during switching over from the braking mode to the motor mode, the
latching element 44 is not engaged, or is at most insignificantly
engaged, in the tooth system 43 of the drum 42, so that no
significant delay of the switching contact 37 occurs. This is
achieved by the tooth system 43 on the drum 42 being constructed in
a such a manner that, as a result of the interaction of the tooth
system 43 and the latching element 44, a force component which
points in the direction from the tooth system 43 acts on the
latching element 44 during the movement of the switching contact 37
with the articulated switching lever 45 towards the first
stationary contact 33. For this purpose, the teeth 62 of the tooth
system 43 have two edges of different shape, namely an inclined
edge 51 and a steep edge 52, as can be seen particularly clearly in
FIG. 10 or 11.
During the movement of the switching lever 45 along the upper
recessed surface 48 of the link 46, the latching element 44 is
initially moved into the tooth system 43 again on reaching the
central prominent surface 49 of the link 46, as a result of the
force of the spring element 47, and, at the same time, the drum 42
is caused to rotate in the counter-clockwise direction. Since the
switching over movement from the second stationary contact 34 to
the first stationary contact 33 is taking place, the inclined edge
51 now interacts with the latching element 44, as is shown in FIG.
11, a force component pointing out of the tooth system 43 being
produced as a result of the angle between the latching element 44
and the inclined edge 51. As a result of this force component, the
switching lever 45 is removed, against the force of the spring
element 47, from the central prominent surface 49 of the link 46,
and the latching element 44 disengages from the tooth system 43.
The switching lever 45, in consequence, moves essentially without
any delay, together with the switching contact 37, onto the first
stationary contact 33, renewed engagement of the latching element
44 in the tooth system 43 no longer occurring, as a result of the
rotational movement of the drum 42 during this movement.
This effect can be further reinforced by the prestressing of the
leaf spring 30 being selected such that a larger spring force acts
during switching over from the second stationary contact 34 to the
first stationary contact 33 than in the opposite movement
direction. In consequence, engagement of the latching element 44 in
the tooth system 43 when switching over from the braking mode to
the motor mode is additionally prevented, as a result of the higher
movement speed of the switching contact 37 with the articulated
switching lever 45. A spring force which is approximately 5 times
as great in the switching over direction from the braking mode to
the motor mode than in the reverse direction has been found to be
particularly suitable.
In contrast, however, engagement of the latching element 44 in the
tooth system 43, and hence the already described delay, are ensured
when switching over from the motor mode to the braking mode. As can
be seen from FIG. 10, the drum 42 is moved in the clockwise
direction by the switching lever 45, the steep edge 52 resting
essentially parallel against the latching element 44. There is thus
no force component pointing out of the tooth system 43 and the
force which is exerted by the latching element 44 on the tooth
system 43 rather acts essentially parallel to the movement
direction of the switching lever 45, so that the spring element 47
assists the engagement of the latching element 44 in the tooth
system 43. This force which is exerted by the latching element 44
on the tooth system 43, in the movement direction of the switching
lever 45, counteracts a force which is produced by the movement
constraint of the drum 42, of course, so that the movement of the
switching lever 45 is delayed.
As has already been explained with reference to FIG. 1, a further
switch S3 can also be arranged in the braking circuit in order to
bridge a resistor 4 which acts as a series resistor and braking
resistor. It can now be advantageous likewise to integrate this
switch S3 in the electrical switch 20.
The switch S3, which is constructed as a normally-open contact, is
arranged as a further contact system 53 in the housing 21 of the
electrical switch 20, as can be seen especially in FIG. 6. The
contact system 53 has only one stationary contact 54 and one
switching contact 55. In the braking mode, the switching contact 55
is lifted off the stationary contact 54 and the contact system 53
is thus opened. If a changeover is made from the braking mode to
the motor mode via the operating device 22, and the electric motor
is thus switched on, the movement of the switching contact 55 is
thus constrained by means of a delay device. While the two
switching contacts 37 and 38 respectively, which switch on the
motor circuit, are switching without a delay from the second
stationary contact 34 or 36 respectively to the first stationary
contact 33 or 35 respectively, the switching contact 55 does not
come to rest against the stationary contact 54 until a suitably
selected delay time has elapsed, within which the starting phase
for the electric motor has been completed, as a result of which the
resistor 4 is bridged (see FIG. 1). In contrast, when switching
over from the motor mode to the braking mode, the switching contact
55 is lifted off the stationary contact 54 without any delay, and
the contact system 53 is thus opened without any delay.
The movement-constraining element, which already exists for the
contact system 31, can also be used in an advantageous manner as a
delay device for the further contact system 53. For this purpose,
the drum 42 likewise has a tooth system 56 in the region of the
contact system 53, in which tooth system 56 means which are
arranged on the switching (movable) contact 55 engage in a
positively-locking manner during movement of the switching contact
55 in the direction of the stationary contact 54, as is shown
further with reference to FIG. 12. These means comprise a lever 57,
which is articulated on the switching contact 55 and is in turn
connected in an articulated manner to a latching lever 58 which has
latching teeth 59. The latching lever 58 is furthermore arranged in
an articulated manner on a connecting lever 63 which is supported
such that it can rotate on the axis of the drum 42. When switching
over from the braking mode to the motor mode, the latching teeth 59
of the latching lever 58 are engaged with the tooth system 56, via
the lever 57, as a result of the movement of the switching contact
55, as a result of which the movement of the switching contact 55
is delayed in accordance with the principle already described. When
switching over from the motor mode to the braking mode, the
latching lever 58 is suddenly lifted off the drum 42 via the lever
57, so that the latching teeth 59 on the latching lever 58
immediately disengage from the tooth system 56, in consequence
there also being no delay in the opening of the contact system
53.
In the present exemplary embodiment, a delay device 41 is described
which comprises a drum 42, which is damped by means of a fluid, and
a switching lever 45. The context of the invention also covers the
use of delay devices based on different operating principles on an
electrical switch which is suitable for the braking circuit. For
example, the delay device can also operate by means of a
piston/cylinder arrangement, damping being achieved pneumatically
by means of gas pressure.
* * * * *